Central monitoring and measurement system

ABSTRACT

A central monitoring and measurement system is described. A central user interface system for generation of a plurality of user-desired information based upon a plurality of measured data, the central user interface system may include a receiver system configured to receive wirelessly the plurality of measured data from a plurality of external sensor systems. An input/output system may be configured to provide output data to a display screen, receive input data from the display device, and provide output data to a processing system. The processing system may be configured to process the plurality of measured data from the plurality of external sensor systems into the plurality of user-desired information. Each external sensor system may include a transmission system configured to transmit wirelessly measured data to the central user interface system, and a measurement system configured to determine the measured data associated with an external device.

The present application is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 61/292,834, entitled “Central Monitoring and MeasurementSystem,” filed Jan. 6, 2010, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure is generally directed to monitoring andmeasurement devices. More particularly, aspects of the disclosurepertain to central monitoring and measurement systems for receiving datafrom external sensors and displaying the same in a user interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure and theadvantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the followingdescription in consideration of the accompanying drawings, in which likereference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a general-purpose digitalcomputing environment in which certain aspects of the present disclosuremay be implemented;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system for capturing andprocessing external sensor measurements in accordance with one of morefeatures described herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of an external sensor systemconfigured for use with a water meter in accordance with one of morefeatures described herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of an external sensor systemconfigured for use with a security camera in accordance with one of morefeatures described herein;

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an external sensor systemconfigured for use with a security system in accordance with one of morefeatures described herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a central user interfacesystem in accordance with one of more features described herein;

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of a central user interfacesystem with a first user interface in accordance with one of morefeatures described herein; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a central user interfacesystem with a second user interface in accordance with one of morefeatures described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and inwhich is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modificationsmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a generic computing device 101(e.g., a computer server) that may be used according to an illustrativeembodiment of the disclosure. The computer server 101 may have aprocessor 103 for controlling overall operation of the server and itsassociated components, including RAM 105, ROM 107, input/output module109, and memory 115.

I/O 109 may include a microphone, keypad, touch screen, and/or stylusthrough which a user of device 101 may provide input, and may alsoinclude one or more of a speaker for providing audio output and a videodisplay device for providing textual, audiovisual and/or graphicaloutput. Software may be stored within memory 115 and/or storage toprovide instructions to processor 103 for enabling server 101 to performvarious functions. For example, memory 115 may store software used bythe server 101, such as an operating system 117, application programs119, and an associated database 121. Alternatively, some or all ofserver 101 computer executable instructions may be embodied in hardwareor firmware (not shown).

The server 101 may operate in a networked environment supportingconnections to one or more remote computers, such as terminals 141 and151. The terminals 141 and 151 may be personal computers or servers thatinclude many or all of the elements described above relative to theserver 101. The network connections depicted in FIG. 1 include a localarea network (LAN) 125 and a wide area network (WAN) 129, but may alsoinclude other networks. When used in a LAN networking environment, thecomputer 101 is connected to the LAN 125 through a network interface oradapter 123. When used in a WAN networking environment, the server 101may include a modem 127 or other means for establishing communicationsover the WAN 129, such as the Internet 131. It will be appreciated thatthe network connections shown are illustrative and other means ofestablishing a communications link between the computers may be used.The existence of any of various well-known protocols such as TCP/IP,Ethernet, FTP, HTTP and the like is presumed, and the system can beoperated in a client-server configuration to permit a user to retrieveweb pages from a web-based server. Any of various conventional webbrowsers can be used to display and manipulate data on web pages.

Additionally, an application program 119 used by the server 101according to an illustrative embodiment of the disclosure may includecomputer executable instructions for invoking user functionality relatedto communication, such as email, short message service (SMS), and voiceinput and speech recognition applications.

Computing device 101 and/or terminals 141 or 151 may also be mobileterminals including various other components, such as a battery,speaker, and antennas (not shown).

The disclosure is operational with numerous other general purpose orspecial purpose computing system environments or configurations.Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/orconfigurations that may be suitable for use with the disclosure include,but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-heldor laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems,set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environmentsthat include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

The disclosure may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Thedisclosure may also be practiced in distributed computing environmentswhere tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linkedthrough a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotecomputer storage media including memory storage devices.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system 200 for capturing andprocessing external sensor measurements in accordance with one of morefeatures described herein. System 200 includes a central user interfacesystem 201. Central user interface system 201 may be a computer such asdescribed in FIG. 1, configured to receive data from one or moreexternal sensor systems 221-225, process the received data, and outputthe processed data onto a display screen and/or speakers.

As described in more detail below, central user interface 201 may beconfigured to wirelessly receive data from one or more external sensorsystems 221-225. The received data is representative of some type ofmeasurement data captured by the external sensor system, such asexternal sensor system A 221. For example, in the case of water usage asdescribed below, the external sensor system may determine and/ordirectly measure the amount of water usage at a home of a user. Datarepresentative of the amount determined and/or measured, such as 22gallons, may be wirelessly transmitted to the central user interfacesystem 201. This received data ay then be processed by the central userinterface system 201 and ultimately outputted in some manner onto adisplay screen and/or speakers. In the example of water usage, a visualdisplay of “22 Gallons” may be outputted on a display screen of thecentral user interface system 201.

Central user interface 201 also may be configured to receive user inputsassociated with a desired configuration for the output to a displayscreen. As described in more detail below, measured data from one ormore external sensor systems may be processed for output in any of anumber of manners for a user onto a display screen. For example, a usermay desire to see a trend of electricity usage in a home during a24-hour period. As such, the output to a display screen may beconfigured to show a graph of kW usage per specific time period, such asevery 10 minutes or every hour. Central user interface 201 may beconfigured to permit a user to include a number of different outputs ona display screen in any of a number of different manners.

Central user interface system 201 may be configured to operate inconjunction with a digital photo frame, such as an LCD digital photoframe. Central user interface system 201 may be configured tooperatively connect with the digital photo frame to output any of thedisplay features described herein on the display screen of the digitalphoto frame. In an alternative embodiment, central user system 201 maybe manufactured as part of a digital photo frame and not removable. Asan attachment that may be removed, central user interface system 201 maybe adaptable to any of a number of different manufactured digital photoframes.

FIG. 2 shows a number of external sensor systems 221-225 operativelyconnected to central user interface 201. Each of external sensor systems221-225 may be configured to determine and/or measure any of a number ofdifferent items. For example, for use in a house, external sensor systemA 221 may be operatively connected to a water meter of a local waterutility company at the house. The external sensor system A 221 may beoperatively connected to the water meter and may directly measure waterusage and/or receive information from the water meter regarding waterusage. This data then may be wirelessly transmitted to the central userinterface system 201. As described herein, central user interface system201 may be an aesthetic digital photo frame in the house of the user.The external sensor system A 221 may be physically outside the house andwireless transmission may be needed to transmit the data to the centraluser interface system 201.

In another example, external sensor system B 222 may be operativelyconnected to an electricity meter of a local utility company at thehouse. The local utility company for electricity may be, and often is,different from the local utility company for water. The external sensorsystem B 222 may be operatively connected to the electricity meter andmay directly measure electricity usage and/or receive information fromthe electricity meter regarding electricity usage. This data then may bewirelessly transmitted to the central user interface system 201.External sensor system C 223 may be operatively connected to a securitycamera to provide a streaming view of the captured images and/or maytransmit periodic images taken by a security camera. External sensor D224 may be operatively connected to a security system at a house of auser. External sensor system E 225 may be operatively connected to anoutdoor thermometer and/or water gauge where the external sensor systemE 225 may be configured to transmit temperature readings and/or rainfallmeasurements periodically to central user interface system 201.

Each of external sensor system 221-225 may be configured for operationwith any of a number of different devices. An external sensor system maybe configured to operate with respect to a specific protocol forcapturing data from an associated device. A different external sensorsystem may be configured to operate with a different protocol for adifferent associated device. Each external sensor system 221-225, asdescribed herein, may include a connection system for specific operationwith an associated device. Still further, external sensor system may beconfigured for operation with two or more associated devicesconcurrently. For example, if an electricity meter and water meter atthe house of a user are physically close to each other, one externalsensor system may be operatively connected to each of the associatedelectricity meter and water meter to capture electricity usage data andwater usage data for transmission to a central user interface system.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of an external sensor system 301configured for use with a water meter 351 in accordance with one of morefeatures described herein. External sensor system 301 may be any ofexternal sensor system 221-225 described in FIG. 2. External sensorsystem 301 includes a power source 303. Power source 303 may be any of anumber of circuitries for supplying power for operation of one or morecomponents of external sensor system 301.

For example, power source 303 may include batteries and wiring forsupplying power to the other components of the external sensor system301. In another example, power source 303 may include a solar panel forcapturing light and storing energy from the captured light for use inpowering one or more components of the external sensor system 301. Instill another example, power source 303 may include circuitry to allowfor receiving power from an external source. For example, a connectionmechanism may be included for connecting to an associated device, suchas the water meter 351, to receive power from the water meter 351 topower one or more components of the external sensor system 301. If thewater meter 351 includes a power source, such as a battery, the powersource 303 of the external sensor system 301 may be configured tooperatively connect to the battery to power components of the externalsensor system 301. Any of a number of different technologies may beincluded for operationally connecting to power from an external source.

External sensor system 301 also may include a transmission system 307.Transmission system 307 may include components for transmitting datawirelessly to a central user interface system. Transmission system 307may be configured to transmit data periodically, such as every 5 minutesor every hour, or may be configured to continuously transmit data to acentral user interface system. In the example provided with respect toFIG. 4, when an external sensor system 401 is operatively connected to asecurity camera 451, the streaming images captured by the video camera451 may be continuously transmitted by the transmission system 407.Transmission system 307 may be configured to change modes of operation,such as changing time periods for transmission or from periodictransmission to continuous transmission. Data transmission fromtransmission system 307 is wireless to allow for transmission of datafrom further distances without the need for direct wiring.

External sensor system 301 is shown to include a measurement system 305.Measurement system 305 may include components for determining and/ordirectly measuring variables associated with an associated device, suchas water meter 351, for eventual transmission to a central userinterface. In the example of FIG. 3, a standard water meter 351 may beconfigured only to measure overall water usage by a user of a house.Measurement system 305 may include circuitry to capture readings of thewater meter 351 and/or perform its own measurement of water usage toprocess and store water usage data. For example, measurement system 305may be configured to periodically determine and/or measure water usagedata and process the data to generate a trend of water usage.Measurement system 305 may be configured to provide data of water usageover a 4 hour period from 6 am-8 am and 8 pm-10 pm when water usage atthe house may be greatest during a day. Any of a number of differentmeasurement algorithms and/or calculations may be performed bymeasurement system 305 to provide a desired variable for eventualtransmission to a central user interface.

External sensor system 301 also is shown to include a connection system309. Connection system 309 may be any of a number of various manners forconnecting the external sensor system 301 to an associated device, suchas water meter 351. Water meter 351 may include a generic outputconnection offered by a local utility providing the water meter. Thegeneric output connection may have a specific physical connection andmay output specific data in accordance with a specific protocol.Connection system 309 may be configured for use with the outputconnection of the water meter 351.

As described above, power source 303 may be configured to receive powerfrom an external source, such as water meter 351. In such an example,connection system 309 may be configured to provide the connection forsupplying power from water meter 351 to power source 303 of the externalsensor system 301. Connection system 309 further may be configured toconnect to a source for measurement purposes without directly connectingto an associated measurement device. For example, connection system 309may be configured for connection to an electrical system of a housewithout actual connection to an associated electrical meter. In such anexample, measurement system 305 may be configured to directly measurevariables, such as electricity usage, and power source 303 may beconfigured to power components of the external sensor system 301 viaconnection system 309.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of an external sensor system 401configured for use with a security camera 451 in accordance with one ofmore features described herein. External sensor system 401 may be any ofexternal sensor system 221-225 described in FIG. 2. External sensorsystem 401 includes a power source 403. Similar to power source 303 inFIG. 3, power source 303 may be any of a number of circuitries forsupplying power for operation of one or more components of externalsensor system 401.

External sensor system 401 also may include a transmission system 407.In the example of FIG. 4, transmission system 407 may include componentsfor continuously transmitting data wirelessly to a central userinterface system. When external sensor system 401 is operativelyconnected to a security camera 451, the streaming images captured by thesecurity camera 451 may be continuously transmitted by the transmissionsystem 407. Transmission system 407 may be configured to change modes ofoperation, such as changing time periods for transmission or fromperiodic transmission to continuous transmission. Data transmission fromtransmission system 407 is wireless to allow for transmission of datafrom further distances without the need for direct wiring.

External sensor system 401 is shown to include a measurement system 405.Measurement system 405 may include components for determining and/ordirectly measuring variables associated with an associated device, suchas a security camera 451, for eventual transmission to a central userinterface. In the example of FIG. 4, measurement system 405 may includecircuitry to process data representative of streaming images fromsecurity camera 451. Any of a number of different algorithms and/orcalculations may be performed by measurement system 405 to provide adesired variable for eventual transmission to a central user interface.

External sensor system 401 also is shown to include a connection system409. Connection system 409 may be any of a number of various manners forconnecting the external sensor system 401 to an associated device, suchas security camera 451. Security camera 451 may include a generic outputconnection offered by a manufacturer of the security camera. The genericoutput connection may have a specific physical connection and may outputspecific data in accordance with a specific protocol. Connection system409 may be configured for use with the output connection of the securitycamera 451.

As described above, power source 403 may be configured to receive powerfrom an external source, such as security camera 451. In such anexample, connection system 409 may be configured to provide theconnection for supplying power from security camera 451 to power source403 of the external sensor system 401.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an external sensor system 501configured for use with a security system 551 in accordance with one ofmore features described herein. External sensor system 501 may be any ofexternal sensor system 221-225 described in FIG. 2. External sensorsystem 501 includes a power source 503. Similar to power source 303 inFIG. 3, power source 503 may be any of a number of circuitries forsupplying power for operation of one or more components of externalsensor system 501.

External sensor system 501 also may include a transmission system 507.In the example of FIG. 5, transmission system 507 may include componentsfor continuously or periodically transmitting data wirelessly to acentral user interface system. When external sensor system 501 isoperatively connected to a security system 551, events captured by thesecurity system 551 may be continuously or periodically transmitted bythe transmission system 507. Transmission system 507 may be configuredto change modes of operation, such as changing time periods fortransmission or from periodic transmission to continuous transmission.Data transmission from transmission system 507 is wireless to allow fortransmission of data from further distances without the need for directwiring.

Any of a number of events associated with a security system 551 may beprocessed and transmitted to a central user interface system by atransmission system 507. For example, security system 551 may beconfigured to detect that a window has been opened or broken or that adoor is currently ajar, in such a circumstance, a signal may be sent tosecurity system 551. Such a signal may be captured and/or processed byexternal security system 501 and representative data of the event may betransmitted to a central user interface system by transmission system507. Therefore, as describe herein, an output to a display screen of acentral user interface system may occur to notify a user of the vent,such as a particular door in the house being open. Any of a number ofother events associated with a security system 551 may be processed byexternal sensor system 501.

External sensor system 501 is shown to include a measurement system 505.Measurement system 505 may include components for determining and/ordirectly measuring variables associated with an associated device, suchas a security system 551, for eventual transmission to a central userinterface. In the example of FIG. 5, measurement system 505 may includecircuitry to process data representative of streaming images from asecurity camera after receipt of a signal indicating occurrence of anevent by security system 551. Any of a number of different algorithmsand/or calculations may be performed by measurement system 505 toprovide a desired variable for eventual transmission to a central userinterface.

External sensor system 501 also is shown to include a connection system509. Connection system 509 may be any of a number of various manners forconnecting the external sensor system 501 to an associated device, suchas security system 551. Security system 551 may include a generic outputconnection offered by a manufacturer of the security system. The genericoutput connection may have a specific physical connection and may outputspecific data in accordance with a specific protocol. Connection system509 may be configured for use with the output connection of the securitysystem 551.

As described above, power source 503 may be configured to receive powerfrom an external source, such as security system 551. In such anexample, connection system 509 may be configured to provide theconnection for supplying power from security system 551 to power source503 of the external sensor system 501.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a central user interfacesystem 601 in accordance with one of more features described herein.Central user interface system 601 may be central user interface system201 described in FIG. 2. Central user interface system 601 includes apower source 603. Power source 603 may be any of a number of circuitriesfor supplying power for operation of one or more components of centraluser interface system 601.

For example, power source 603 may include batteries and wiring forsupplying power to the other components of the central user interfacesystem 601. In another example, power source 603 may include a solarpanel for capturing light and storing energy from the captured light foruse in powering one or more components of the central user interfacesystem 601. In still another example, power source 603 may includecircuitry to allow for receiving power from an external source. Any of anumber of different technologies may be included for operationallyconnecting to power from an external source.

Central user interface system 601 also may include a receiver system607. Receiver system 607 may include components for receiving datawirelessly from one or more external sensor systems. Receiver system 607may be configured to receive data periodically, such as every 5 minutesor every hour, or may be configured to continuously receive data fromone or more external sensor systems. In the example provided withrespect to FIG. 4, when an external sensor system 401 is operativelyconnected to a security camera 451, the streaming images captured by thevideo camera 451 may be continuously received by a receiver system 607.Receiver system 607 may be configured to change modes of operation, suchas changing time periods for reception or from periodic reception tocontinuous reception. Data reception by receiver system 607 is wirelessto allow for reception of data from further distances without the needfor direct wiring.

Central user interface system 601 is shown to include a processingsystem 605. Processing system 605 may include components for processingdata received from one or more external sensor systems. In the exampleof FIG. 2 with five different external sensor systems 221-225 wirelesslytransmitting data to central user interface system 201, a processingsystem of central user interface 201 may be configured to process all ofthe data received to output in a desired manner to a display 651. Forexample, processing system may be configured to receive data andgenerate a trend graph over a period of time to show usage over thatperiod of time. Processing system 605 may be configured to store data ofa plurality of measurements over time and then generate a visual graphicfor output on display 651.

Processing system 605 may be preconfigured for specific operation and/ormay be modified based upon one or more inputs received throughinput/output system 609. If display 651 is a touch screen displaydevice, a user may enter desired variables to be shown. For example, ifcentral user interface system 601 is configured to receive datawirelessly from five different external sensor systems but a user hasenter requests to display only three of those measured data variables,processing system 605 may be configured to generate the desired outputfor display on display 651 for the three measured data variables whilenot displaying the other two.

Central user interface system 601 also is shown to include aninput/output system 609. Input/output system 609 may be any of a numberof various manners for providing output to and receiving input from anassociated device, such as display 651. In one example, display 651 maybe a touch screen display where a user can make contact with a portionof the display to represent a desired input. In such an example,input/output system 609 may be configured to receive inputs from thetouch screen display 651 for processing by the processing system 605 andoutput to display 651 desired output data. As such, input/output systemallows a user to create a specific desired output to a display 651.Input/output system 609 further may include other forms of input andoutput. For example, and of a number of switches, slide bars, inputbuttons, output connection ports, speakers, and other input/outputdevices may be utilized. Input/output system 609 allows a user to createa desired output on display 651.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of a central user interfacesystem 700 with a first user interface in accordance with one of morefeatures described herein. FIG. 7 illustrates a system 700 where one ormore features described herein are included within or operativelyconnected to a digital photo frame. Digital photo frame 701 is shownwith a display screen 703. FIG. 7 illustrates an example user interfacethat may be a default configuration or may be a configuration desired bya user of the digital photo frame 701. In this example, data receivedfrom multiple external sensor systems is displayed on display screen703. In this configuration, the upper left portion of the display screen703 includes a window of a video feed 705 from a first camera. Such acamera may be security camera 451 in FIG. 4. Also shown is a window of avideo feed 707 from a second camera. Such a camera may be securitycamera 451 from FIG. 4 as well. As such, continuous streaming video ofthe images captured by camera 1 and camera 2 are displayed in windows705 and 707, respectively. In another example, window 705 may display acontinuous streaming video while window 707 may display periodic imagesfrom camera 2, such as every five seconds.

In the upper right hand portion of display screen 703 is shown an outputmeasurement 709 of electricity usage. In the example shown, the displayshows the current measurement for kWh usage of electricity.Concurrently, total water usage of 155 gallons is shown by an outputmeasurement 711. Measurement data for electricity usage and water usagemay be received from the same or different external sensor systems, suchas external sensor system 301 shown in FIG. 3. Other measured data alsomay be shown. Window 713 shows a warnings window of events that may havebeen detected. As shown, a backdoor open message may be displayed toindicate that a backdoor of the house is currently ajar. In addition, afilter change needed message is shown indicating that a change to theair conditioning filter is needed. Such data may be received from one ormore external sensor systems associated with a security system of thehouse, such as shown in FIG. 5, and/or an external sensor systemattached to a heating and air conditioning system of the house. Any of anumber of different event messages may be displayed and/or configuredfor display in accordance with the principles described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a central user interfacesystem 800 with a second user interface in accordance with one of morefeatures described herein. FIG. 8 may be the same digital picture frame701 with display screen 703 but now with a new user interface shown. Inthis example, a user may have changed the configuration of the outputfrom FIG. 7 to that shown in FIG. 8. In this example, a general messagewindow 805 may be outputted on display screen 703. Utilizing aninput/output system of the digital picture frame 701, such asinput/output 609 in FIG. 6, a user may enter messages for another user.In this example, chores from a parent to a child may be outputted inwindow 805. In the lower left portion of display screen 703, a pluralityof images may be displayed that change over time in window 811. Similarto the function of a conventional photo frame, stored images may beperiodically displayed in window 811, with the images changes after acertain period of time.

Window 809 in the lower left portion of display screen 703 includes atrend graph showing kW usage over a period of time, such as a 24 hourperiod. As such, a user can see at any time when she is using the mostenergy in the house in the day. Adjustments by a user may be made inresponse. Finally, in the example of FIG. 8, the upper right portion ofdisplay screen 703 includes a window 807 that may show an approximatelymonth to date cost for utilities in the house. Such information may bevery useful to a user to see whether she is approaching a desiredthreshold for spending on utilities. In response, a user can lower thetemperature of the heating, or turning off some unneeded lights in thehouse. The data displayed in window 807 may be generated from datareceived from a plurality of external sensor systems. The received datathen may be processed by a processing system of the central userinterface to display the desired output. In this case, the usage datareceived from a plurality of external sensor systems may be processedbased upon current fees for usage to generate the outputted display ofmonth to date cost of $105.68 for utilities. As should be understood,any of a number of algorithms may be utilized to output a desireddisplay based upon data received from one or more external sensorsystems.

One or more components of the central user interface system may exist indifferent devices. For example, in one embodiment, a standard digitalphoto frame already may include a receiver system, an input/outputsystem, a processing system, and a power source. A user may insert anattachment into the standard digital photo frame for display of data ina desired manner. Such an attachment may be a small device connected toa memory card slot, such as an SD card slot, of the digital photo frame.The small device may create certain jpeg images with whateverinformation a user desires to see, including history and graphs. Thesmall attachment device may include appropriate circuitry and componentsfor operating the display of the digital photo frame to display adesired output.

While the disclosure has been described with respect to specificexamples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the methodsdescribed herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that thereare numerous variations and permutations of the above described systemsand techniques. Thus, the spirit and scope of the disclosure should beconstrued broadly.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a central user interfacesystem for generation of a plurality of user-desired information basedupon a plurality of measured data, the central user interface systemcomprising: a receiver configured to receive wirelessly the plurality ofmeasured data from a plurality of external sensors and to change modesof operation by changing time periods for reception of the plurality ofmeasured data from the plurality of external sensors; an input/outputdevice configured to: provide output data to a display device, receiveinput data from the display device, and provide output data to aprocessor; the processor configured to process the plurality of measureddata from the plurality of external sensors into the plurality ofuser-desired information, wherein the apparatus is housed within adigital photo frame device, wherein the digital photo frame devicedisplays a plurality of windows comprising a first configuration of theoutput data and a second configuration of the output data, wherein thefirst configuration of output data including: a video feed from acamera, a utility usage amount, and a measured event warning, whereinthe second configuration of the output data including: a message windowincluding user-entered text, a utility usage cost based on a current feefor the utility usage, a trend graph showing the utility usage over aperiod of time, and a plurality of images being displayed and changedperiodically, wherein the first configuration of the output data and thesecond configuration of the output data are exchangeable by a user. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, the central user interface system furthercomprising the display device configured to render the user-desiredinformation.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the display devicefurther is configured to receive user-desired inputs and to output thereceived user-desired inputs to the input/output device.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor further is configured tostore the plurality of measured data from the plurality of externalsensors and to generate at least one visual graphic of the plurality ofuser-desired information.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein theprocessor further is configured to generate the at least one visualgraphic based upon a specific time period.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the receiver further is configured to receive wirelessly andperiodically the plurality of measured data from the plurality ofexternal sensors.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiverfurther is configured to receive wirelessly and continuously theplurality of measured data from the plurality of external sensors.
 8. Asystem comprising: a central user interface system for generation of aplurality of user-desired information based upon a plurality of measureddata, the central user interface system comprising: a receiverconfigured to: receive wirelessly the plurality of measured data from aplurality of external sensors, and change modes of operation by changingtime periods for reception of the plurality of measured data from theplurality of external sensors; an input/output device configured to:provide output data to a display device, receive input data from thedisplay device, and provide output data to a processor, the processorconfigured to process the plurality of measured data from the pluralityof external sensors into the plurality of user-desired information; andthe plurality of external sensors for transmission of the plurality ofmeasured data, each external sensor including; a transmitter configuredto transmit wirelessly measured data to the central user interfacesystem, and a measurement system configured to determine the measureddata associated with an external device, wherein the system is housedwithin a digital photo frame device, wherein the digital photo framedevice displays a plurality of windows comprising a first configurationof the output data and a second configuration of the output data,wherein the first configuration of output data including: a video feedfrom a camera, a utility usage amount, and a measured event warning,wherein the second configuration of the output data including: a messagewindow including user-entered text, a utility usage cost based on acurrent fee for the utility usage, a trend graph showing the utilityusage over a period of time, and a plurality of images being displayedand changed periodically, wherein the first configuration of the outputdata and the second configuration of the output data are exchangeable bya user.
 9. The system of claim 8, further comprising the display deviceconfigured to render the user-desired information.
 10. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the display device further is configured to receiveuser-desired inputs and to output the received user-desired inputs tothe input/output system of the central user interface system.
 11. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the external device is a utility measurementdevice.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor further isconfigured to store the plurality of measured data from the plurality ofexternal sensors and to generate at least one visual graphic of theplurality of user-desired information.
 13. The system of claim 12,wherein the processor further is configured to generate the at least onevisual graphic based upon a specific time period.
 14. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the receiver further is configured to receivewirelessly and periodically the plurality of measured data from theplurality of external sensors.
 15. The system of claim 8, wherein thereceiver further is configured to receive wirelessly and continuouslythe plurality of measured data from the plurality of external sensors.16. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storingcomputer-readable instructions that, when executed by at least onecomputer housed within a digital photo frame device, cause the at leastone computer to perform a method of: generating a plurality ofuser-desired information based upon a plurality of measured data;receiving wirelessly the plurality of measured data from a plurality ofexternal sensors; changing modes of operation by changing time periodsfor reception of the plurality of measured data from the plurality ofexternal sensors; providing output data to a display device; receiveinput data from the display device; provide output data to a processor;and processing the plurality of measured data from the plurality ofexternal sensors into the plurality of user-desired information, whereinthe digital photo frame device displays a plurality of windowscomprising a first configuration of the output date and as secondconfiguration of the output data, wherein the first configuration of theoutput data including: a video feed from a camera, a utility usageamount, and a measured event warning, wherein the second configurationof the output data including: a message window including user-inputtedtext, a utility usage cost based on a current fee for the utility usage,a trend graph showing the utility usage over a period of time, and aplurality of images being displayed and changed periodically, whereinthe first configuration of the output data and the second configurationof the output data are exchangeable by a user.
 17. The one or morenon-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16 storingcomputer-readable instructions that, when executed by the at least onecomputer housed within a digital photo frame device, cause the at leastone computer to perform a method of rendering the user-desiredinformation.
 18. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediaof claim 16 storing computer-readable instructions that, when executedby the at least one computer housed within a digital photo frame device,cause the at least one computer to perform a method of storing theplurality of measured data from the plurality of external sensors andgenerating at least one visual graphic of the plurality of user-desiredinformation.
 19. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediaof claim 16, wherein the receiver further is configured to receivewirelessly and periodically the plurality of measured data from theplurality of external sensors.
 20. The one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable media of claim 16, wherein the receiver further isconfigured to receive wirelessly and continuously the plurality ofmeasured data from the plurality of external sensors.